Carnie Wilson has expressed her disappointment regarding the negative feedback aimed at her daughter, Lola Bonfiglio, following Lola’s American Idol audition, which featured assistance from her well-known family members.
On March 23, the 19-year-old aspiring artist brought together two-thirds of Wilson Phillips, along with her father Rob Bonfiglio, to perform “Hold On” before her audition on the iconic talent show.
In the performance, Lola took on Chyna Phillips’ vocal part, harmonizing with her mother and her aunt, Wendy Wilson, on the popular 1990s track.
Despite the heartfelt rendition, some viewers criticized the audition as a ‘nepo baby’ move, suggesting it was unfair for her to leverage her family’s fame to sway the judges.
In response, Carnie Wilson, 56, addressed these criticisms during the ‘Music of the 90s’ panel at 90s Con in Connecticut, defending her daughter.
The renowned singer shared her frustration, admitting that the negative comments were “really p**sing me off,” though she felt unable to respond directly.
Carnie Wilson has revealed her frustration over the negative comments being made about her daughter Lola Bonfiglio
March 23 saw the aspiring musician, 19, reunite two-thirds of Wilson Phillips plus her dad Rob Bonfiglio to sing Hold On before her audition on the long running competition show
However, she then added: ‘I just wanna say, we’re human, and the internet is so cruel. It can be so cruel.’
Opening up about her decision to be present with her child for the big moment, she explained: ‘Would you encourage a doctor’s son not to be a doctor? No. Would you ever say, “Don’t be a doctor because your dad’s a doctor”?
‘Lola wants to be a singer, and they say these terrible things, and she was so hurt.’
Reflecting on her daughter’s solo rendition of Kacey Musgraves’ 2019 hit, Rainbows, Carnie continued: ‘It was the scariest thing she ever has done. She was trembling with nerves, and she did great.
‘I’m so proud of her, and they asked us to sing, you know, so we came and crashed the party.
‘I don’t think that Lionel and Carrie Underwood and Luke knew we were gonna be there, so that was fun.’
Lola – who is also the granddaughter of Beach Boys singer Brian Wilson – surprised the Idol judges and audience when she brought out her famous family members to sing with her before officially starting her audition.
Carnie, Wendy, and Lola’s harmonies on Hold On left Carrie feeling emotional.
Some viewers weren’t too pleased by the ‘nepo baby’ audition, arguing that it was unfair to use her family connections to influence the judges
‘I don’t know how to proceed now,’ the Jesus Take the Wheel singer teased.
Underwood noted that Lola’s talent was in her blood, saying, ‘You can tell that that is a thing with families, that everybody is genetically designed to sound good together.’
Lola then impressed the panel of judges with her take on Rainbow.
Luke Bryan said the song perfectly suited ‘the tone and the pureness’ of Lola’s voice, while Lionel Richie encouraged her to ‘hold the story out longer.’
Some viewers weren’t as impressed as one person wrote on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Lola wasn’t that good. She wouldn’t have gone on if it wasn’t for her singing with her mom before that.’
Another agreed: ‘Lola was the weakest member of the trio with her mom and aunt.’
‘I don’t like Lola. maybe the nerves got to her, but her voice is too soft/breathy for me,’ a third commented. ‘But of course the judges will say yes bc her famous mom and aunt are standing right there.’
Carnie celebrated the moment on Instagram, sharing a photo of her daughter receiving the golden ticket that advances her to the Hollywood rounds of competition.
Carnie noted: ‘Lola wants to be a singer, and they say these terrible things, and she was so hurt’
Carnie is the daughter of Beach Boys singer Brian Wilson and she and Bonfiglio married in 2000, welcoming Lola in 2005 and Luciana in 2009
‘I couldn’t be more proud of our Lola Bonfiglio,’ her caption began. ‘Her pure beautiful voice shines so bright!!!!!
‘To witness your child be brave like that and sing from her heart… and have three incredible artists tell her that her voice is pure and gorgeous… shows us that her love for singing is what it’s all about,’ she wrote, adding a note of thanks to everyone who supported her daughter.
Lola shared a message of her own on Instagram after her audition aired on Sunday, sharing a pic of herself with her parents and aunt Wendy Wilson.
‘And the journey begins. so beyond excited to share this adventure with you all. thank you for your kind words and support,’ she wrote in the caption.
Chynna Phillips gushed over Lola’s performance in the comments on her post, ‘This was EXQUIZ!!!!
‘Lola, you are a natural! So freaking fun and exciting. Congratulations.’
